Do you find it easier designing for physical objects? There’s real-world constraints (materials, space, weight) that often limit and focus design and the tools that can be used. In the virtual world, most of these constraints are non-issues.

Yeah, that was the exact same impression I got. With both companies vocally trying to increase their workforce diversity, it would be interesting to know if: 1. This was specifically requested by the women employees. 2. There are any other steps that address having a to choose between career or kids, e.g. on-premisis or subsidized daycare.

Web design has been maturing. App design is integrating physics & animation and experimenting (sometimes badly) with interaction design. Smaller, ambitious companies are trying to address these changes and starting to make headways in the marketplace. Sketch 3.1 was updated yesterday. Affinity Designer will be released tomorrow.

But what about our long-standing tools from the established players? Are they stagnating? Not too long ago it looked like Adobe was poised to take over the web, but look at their product announcements over the last few years: A lot of focus on consumer mobile apps & some nice (but relatively niche) hardware.

Have these smaller ambitious companies had any effect on our long established players in the market? No clue, but Adobe Max would be a great place for a big announcement. Fingers crossed.